SPRINGFIELD (AP) — A troubled state-run facility housing developmentally disabled residents will be restructured after months of media reports about resident abuse by staff and attempts to cover it up. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday that half of the residents from the Choate Developmental Center in southern Illinois will move to other state or community sites. Southern Illinois University’s School of Medicine will take a role in redesigning the purpose of Choate. Pritzker has hired a chief resident safety officer for the state’s developmental centers, and other changes are planned. Months of reports from three media groups detailed accounts of staff abuse and resident misconduct.

GUESTS:

Molly Parker

Reporter, The Southern Illinoisan | Midwest Public Service Reporter, Lee Enterprises Midwest | LRN Fellow, ProPublica

Stacey Aschemann

Vice President, Equip for Equality

Lutrice Williams

Former Choate Resident